Audi Hamilton Island Raceweek 2015 supports Equal Rights for Gay Cows

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 23 Aug 2015 It’s not all serious stuff at Audi Hamilton Island Raceweek. This is an event that successfully combines hard core racing (inc the Australian IRC Championships), some rather more ‘relaxed racing’ (if there is such a thing), a whole party programme involving beer, bands and more, and a socialite’s dream programme of champagne lunches and fashion shows and never a boat in sight so teeter tottering heels are ok. As far as we know, AHIR is a unique event on the regatta calendar.

And then there’s the Concours d’Elegance. Dress to impress, or dress to entertain – the boat, that is. Boats paraded in front of the distinguished judges on the top deck (the Bommie Deck) of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club to be awarded points in two classes – Best Themed Boat and Best Presented Boat. Did I say not serious? Some of the entries clearly took things very seriously; take a look at the photos.

The exceedingly elegant Platinum was awarded the Prix d’Elegance for Best Presented boat, and Holy Cow was judged to be the Best Themed boat. ‘Equal Rights For Gay Cows’ was an absolute tour de force, with rainbow flags, rainbow umbrellas, a fully cow-suited crew, two cows getting married on the foredeck by a bishop, and even a calf tender in tow. Regattas don’t have to be nothing but racing, do they?

Check out also the Tropical Sunset, The Laundry, the Frenchies and other delights from the Concours 2015 at Audi Hamilton Island Raceweek. Pure magic.